LA County sheriff probes reported deputy cheating

LOS ANGELES 
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating whether deputies cheated on the exams that are required for promotions.

The Los Angeles Times (
http://lat.ms/13RzDS6
) obtained a mass email Thursday sent within the department announcing the internal affairs investigation.

Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore tells the Times the unusual email was sent to "let everyone know how serious we're taking it." Whitmore called the alleged cheating "unacceptable" and says "it's got to stop."

It's not clear how the allegations arose or how many deputies are under investigation.

Whitmore says the probe was launched Monday and would be completed soon.